MALE PREGNANCY-HOW FAR SHOULD WE GO?

Male pregnancy – how far should we go?
Before enrolling into this class I never knew that there was research being done on male pregnancy. This surprised me and gave me lots of questions to contemplate. My first response was, why? If God created women with everything needed to carry out a pregnancy why interfere with nature? Who’s money will be spent on this research just to see if it can be done? Then, is it ethical and morally correct?

The Beijing doctor –doctor Chen Huanran, one of China's most-prominent sex change surgeons -- says he has developed the technology to impregnate a man, and now he wants to use his technique to help his transsexual patients have children of their own.

Chen, who works at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said he has already lined up four men for the procedure. An internet discussion of his "male mother" project has caused hundreds of men around the country to volunteer for swollen ankles, morning sickness, and the many other joys of pregnancy. Would the procedure be safe? Aren't men missing a really important component, the uterus?
While getting a man pregnant is not quite as easy as impregnating a woman, it is just wrong. First, the man would have to be injected with female hormones to prepare him for the pregnancy. Then the embryo would be implanted, through a laparoscopy in the man's abdomen, near the omentum, a fatty, blood-rich tissue that hangs in front of the intestines. The baby would be delivered, at term via Casearan section.
I feel that it is dangerous, not only for the man, but especially for the embryo that will be implanted. What are the long term effects on human health and environment? What are the personal, social and cultural consequences? Male pregnancy is too ridiculous. It is against human nature. If a man wants a child, he can adopt one. There are so many kids that need homes. We, as health care providers, should be working to improve the quality of life. If there were no other options for having children, it might be a viable solution, but with so many more safe and proven ways for a couple to have children I can find no reason to proceed with the time, talent, medical resources and let’s not forget to mention, millions of dollars on research to fix something that isn’t broken. We surely have not run out of cancers to cure, prosthesis to develop, genetic and aging illnesses that could be prevented or cured, etc. Let’s spend our dollar for high yield, maximum impact research and discourage (i.e. cut off funds) for research that is just someone’s ticket to fame, regardless of human life.
Feb 29,2008
Sabina,R